Sliced Spread: 2011 NFL Football Week 15 Picks and Predictions

Welcome to SLICED SPREAD, the place on Inside Pulse Sports for weekly NFL picks against the spread, head to head survivor picks, and score prognostications.

Week 14 was pretty even for me as I finished 8-8 ATS. However, I was happy with finally getting back on track with my locks of the week, scoring a 2-1 record ATS in that regard, as well as notching another H2H survivor win with the Seahawks trouncing the Rams on Monday night.

Here’s to hoping I can go into the holidays with even more to cheer for…

*LOCK IT UP/H2H SURVIVOR PICK: ATLANTA (-11.5) over Jacksonville — The Falcons return home to their friendlier confines, and the inferior Jaguars will suffer as a result. Falcons win 31-13

SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:

TAMPA BAY (+6.5) over Dallas — There is no real reason for me to believe in Tampa, except that they will likely play this game like it’s their Super Bowl and a heartbroken Cowboys team may not have the right amount of energy coming into this game. Cowboys win 24-20

SUNDAY:

*LOCK IT UP: NY GIANTS (-7.5) over Washington — Now that the Giants have evened things up with Dallas, I think they have all of the momentum in the world coming into this week’s division matchup with the Redskins. Throw in the fact that Eli Manning is playing MVP-like football and you have all the makings of a solid Giants win. Giants win 28-10

Seattle (+3.5) over CHICAGO — The Bears suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Tim Tebow last week, or should I say they lost at the hands (and feet) of Marion Barber? Either way, I think the Seahawks come to Chicago with nothing to lose and keep it close against this depleted version of the Bears that will take the field on Sunday. Bears win 16-13

New Orleans (-6.5) over MINNESOTA — Drew Brees will continue to roll and while the Vikings should have Ponder and Peterson back, it won’t be enough to derail these marching Saints. Saints win 30-17

Cincinnati (-6.5) over ST. LOUIS — The Bengals will finally get a win over the atrocious Rams, though it may be too little too late at this point. Bengals win 20-6

Miami (-1.5) over BUFFALO — Tony Sparano or no Tony Sparano, the Dolphins have played spirited football for the most part over the past month. I don’t think they’ll lay down and let the downward spiraling Bills beat them here. Dolphins win 21-16

Tennessee (-6.5) over INDIANAPOLIS — I just don’t have it in me to give the Colts any chance against any opponent that is favored by less than a touchdown, despite Indy’s penchant for backdoor covers the past two weeks. Titans win 27-14

*LOCK IT UP: Green Bay (-13.5) over KANSAS CITY — Unlike the Dolphins, the Chiefs will not put forth a spirited effort here. They will do all they can to not be demoralized, but they will still be thoroughly beaten regardless of their best intentions on defense. Packers win 41-13

HOUSTON (-6.5) over Carolina — The Texans continue to have that winning aura about them, and Carolina’s offense will be severely overmatched on the road. Texans win 24-13

Detroit (-0.5) over OAKLAND — I couldn’t decide definitively on this one, but I think the Lions are a little healthier and that will prove the difference in against an essentially even spread. Lions win 17-15

ARIZONA (-6.5) over Cleveland — The Cardinals have been trending upward for a long time now, and I believe the Browns are going to serve as fodder for another Arizona win. Cardinals win 21-7

NY Jets (+3.5) over PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles are not your typical 5-8 team, but Rex Ryan’s Jets have now surged ahead of the rest of the pack for the remaining wild card slot in the AFC, and they will play with everything they have here to hold onto that advantage. The Eagles have had talent all season long, but they won’t match the Jets’ collective will to win this game. Jets win 24-21

DENVER (+5.5) over New England — I said I wasn’t jumping off the Tebow bandwagon until proven wrong otherwise, and even though the Broncos didn’t cover the spread last week (by 0.5 points) I can see them fighting off New England until the very end since Denver is at home and the Patriots’ shoddy defense will make this one a shootout. And, just for kicks, in my gut feeling pick of the week… Broncos win 34-31

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:

SAN DIEGO (+2.5) over Baltimore — Philip Rivers is healthy and so the Chargers are a force to reckon with in December. I think the Ravens will slip up out west and have one of their off games that will enable San Diego to grab the home win. Chargers win 21-20

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:

SAN FRANCISCO (-2.5) over Pittsburgh — Many people look at this game and see the big bad Steelers coming out west to spoil San Francisco’s year-long party. What I see is a Pittsburgh team with a key injury on offense (Big Ben) and a key suspension on defense (Harrison) that will fall prey to a rough and tumble Niners team that means business this season. Niners win 23-19